Debate on Universal Credit's impact on Falkirk claimants

MPs in Westminster are set to look at the impact the introduction of Universal Credit has had on Scotland.
By James Trimble
Published 19th Jan 2021, 10:16 BST
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Thursday’s debate will see members of Parliament’s Scottish Affairs Committee questioning a panel of experts from social security advocacy groups – including

Kirsty McKechnie of Child Poverty Action Group Scotland and Nina Ballantyne of Citizens Advice Scotland – on the effectiveness of UK and Scottish welfare polices in Scotland and on the Department of Work and Pensions’ response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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A Scottish Affairs Committee spokesperson said: “Claimants of Universal Credit have almost doubled in the last year as working hours were reduced and jobs shed during the pandemic.

The introduction of Universal Credit has led to financial hardship for some families in Falkirk and a reliance on help from food banksThe introduction of Universal Credit has led to financial hardship for some families in Falkirk and a reliance on help from food banks
The introduction of Universal Credit has led to financial hardship for some families in Falkirk and a reliance on help from food banks

“Some 474,000 people now rely on the payment to make up at least part of their income. Measures have been put in place by the UK and Scottish Governments to help people through lockdown and ensure higher compliance with public health measures – including a £20 per week increase in Universal Credit payments from the UK Government and a £500 self-isolation grant from Scottish Government.

“However, Universal Credit has been criticised for forcing a choice between a five-week wait for claimants’ first payment or a reduction in payments while an advance is repaid, putting some at risk of hunger or a spiral of debt.

“Meanwhile, Scotland is undergoing a transfer of welfare powers from the UK Government. Once complete, the Scottish Government will control £3.5 billion of benefits to 1.4 million people.”

The debate take place from noon on Thursday, January 21.

Related topics:MPsUniversal CreditScotlandFalkirkParliament

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